Strawberry plant named ‘Archer’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct June-bearing (short day responsive) strawberry plant named ‘Archer’ primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the west central New York and other regions of similar climate. The plant is botanically known as Fragaria x ananassa Duch. The new plant is primarily characterized by strong vigor, longer than broad fruit, wide rounded conical fruit shape, very large primary fruit with a prominent internal cavity, uniformly large secondary and tertiary fruit, uniformity in shape between primary, secondary fruit and tertiary fruit, reflexed calyx, and intense red fruit color externally and internally.

This invention was made with government support under grant numberNYG-632421 awarded by the USDA. The government has certain rights inthis invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct June-bearing (shortday responsive) strawberry plant designated as ‘Archer’. The plant isbotanically known as Fragaria x ananassa Duch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct plant of strawberry originated from ahand-pollinated hybridization made in 1997 in Geneva, N.Y. between theCornell University Selection NY1786 (not patented) x ‘L'Amour’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 16,480P3). NY1786 is June-bearing with very large averagefruit size similar to ‘Archer’ that is darker red, firm fleshed, andblocky round shaped that ripens in a later season than ‘Archer’.‘L'Amour’ is June-bearing with smaller average fruit size that is brightred, conic shaped, moderately firm fleshed, and ripens at a similar timeas ‘Archer’.

Both parents of ‘Archer’ are hybrids of the strawberry genus of thespecies Fragaria x ananassa. Thus ‘Archer’ is of the species Fragaria xananassa.

The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization were germinatedin a greenhouse during the winter of 1999-2000. The resulting seedlingswere planted in the spring of 2000 in a field in Geneva, N.Y. andproduced fruit in the summer of 2001. One plant, designated NY01-16, wasselected for its early ripening, very large fruit with an intense redcolor, a strong strawberry flavor, and moderately firm flesh. This newplant was discovered by the inventor.

During 2001, the original plant selection (NY01-16) was propagatedasexually by stolons (runners) at Geneva, N.Y. and a test planting often plants was established. Subsequently, larger test plantings wereestablished with asexually multiplied plants at Geneva, N.Y. The newplant was then tested over several years in the fruiting fields atGeneva, N.Y.

Further propagation was done using tissue culture to produce diseasefree material for use in further testing. Tissue culture plants wereused as mother plants for propagation from stolons. This propagation hasdemonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein ascharacterizing the new plant are fixed and remain true to type throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction. All propagules of‘Archer’ have been observed to be true to type in that during allasexual multiplication, the vegetative and fruit characteristics of theoriginal plant have been maintained.

All plants planted from dormant crowns or rooted runner tips havefruited after one season of growth in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits define the new plant as a unique plant,distinguishing it from other commercial varieties in the region.

Medium height plants with an upright growth habit and strong vigor.

Predominantly trifoliate leaves with 4 and 5 leaflet leaves uncommonlypresent with high leaf gloss and broadly elliptical to obovate leafletswith greater length than width.

Very large primary fruit that is longer than broad, with a taperingrounded to wedge fruit shape, becoming more uniformly conic shaped insecondary and tertiary fruit as well as more evenly long and broad.

Intense red fruit color, red flesh color with a ring of pale fleshsurrounding a large cavity in primary and secondary fruit, high fruitaroma, and moderate flesh firmness.

A moderately reflexed calyx generally equal or smaller in diameter thanthe fruit width.

Medium sized stipule, often highly pigmented on young leaf petioles.

Early mid-season production with high yields.

An extended harvest season compared to other short day responsive typesgrown in the region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee. The accompanying color photographs show typicalspecimens of the new plant at various stages of development as nearlytrue as it is possible to make in color reproductions. The depictedplant and plant parts were from the first harvest season, approximately13 months after planting.

FIGS. 1A-B show typical fruit shape and uniformity (FIG. 1A) andfruiting truss arrangement including large single peduncle bract (FIG.1B) of ‘Archer’.

FIGS. 2A-C show typical external fruit characteristics of ‘Archer’ (FIG.2A) including calyx structure and fruit shape compared to ‘Jewel’ (FIG.2B) and ‘Clancy’ (FIG. 2C).

FIGS. 3A-C show typical internal fruit characteristics of ‘Archer’ (FIG.3A) compared to ‘Jewel’ (FIG. 3B) and ‘Clancy’ (FIG. 3C).

FIGS. 4A-C show leaf margin serrations for ‘Archer’ (FIG. 4A), ‘Jewel’(FIG. 4B), and ‘L'Amour’ (FIG. 4C).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct June-bearing (shortday responsive) strawberry plant designated as ‘Archer’. The plant isbotanically known as Fragaria x ananassa Duch.

The following description of ‘Archer’, unless otherwise noted, is basedon observations taken during the 2016 growing season in Geneva, N.Y.These measurements and ratings were taken from plants planted in May2015. The age of the planting was approximately 13 months and in itsfirst harvest season. Yield observations and fruit qualitycharacteristics are averaged from data collected during the 2013 and2014 production seasons. The characteristics of the new plant may varyin detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors(temperature, rainfall, humidity, and light intensity). Where noted,color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,London.

COMPARATIVE FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS

Tables 1-4 provide comparative characteristics of ‘Archer’ fruit, fruitproduction, and fruit quality characteristics. Fruit characteristics aretaken from the first harvest season.

TABLE 1 Fruit characteristics: Yield Cultivar (kg per ha) 2013 2014Average ‘Archer’ 12,190  18,100 15,150 ‘Clancy’ 9,040 10,560  9,800‘Ovation’ 9,830 12,680 11,260 ‘Jewel’ 9,380 12,680 11,030 ‘Seneca’17,040  11,200 14,120 Total fruit yield of ‘Archer’ and similarvarieties from 2 separate trials, one harvested in 2013 and one in 2014in Geneva, NY. Fruit was harvested in June of each year. The plants of‘Archer’ and the other varieties were grown in a cooperating commercialnursery in Hartford, MI or South Deerfield, Mass. and planted in Mayprior to the first harvest year for both trials.

TABLE 2 Fruit characteristics: Weight Cultivar (g per berry) 2013 2014Average ‘Archer’ 15.3 13.3 14.3 ‘Clancy’ 14.7 12.8 13.8 ‘Ovation’ 11.811.3 11.6 ‘Jewel’ 13.9 10.9 12.4 ‘Seneca’ 12.9 12.5 12.7 Average fruitweight of ‘Archer’ and similar varieties from 2 separate trials, oneharvested in 2013 and one in 2014 in Geneva, NY. Fruit was harvested inJune in each year. The plants of Archer’ and the other varieties weregrown in a cooperating commercial nursery in Hartford, MI or SouthDeerfield, Mass. and planted in May prior to the first harvest year forboth trials.

TABLE 3 Fruit characteristics: Color and Dimensions Character ‘Archer’‘L'Amour’ ‘Jewel’ ‘Clancy’ RHS Exterior red 45A red 46B red 44A red 46AColor Mature Fruit Fruit Length 4.65 4.22 3.46 3.07 mean (cm) FruitWidth 4.35 3.62 3.61 3.59 mean (cm)¹ Fruit Length/ 1.07 1.20 1.05 0.86Width Ratio No. Sepals/ 14.0 11.0 12.4 11.9 Berry Comparison of maturesecondary fruit characteristics of ‘Archer’ with standards grown inGeneva, NY ¹Width is measured across the widest part of the berry,typically across the shoulders.

TABLE 4 Fruit characteristics: Chemical Qualities Character ‘Archer’‘L'Amour’ ‘Jewel’ ‘Clancy’ Soluble solids^(1,2) 8.17 8.91 7.80 9.02Titratable acidity^(2,3) 7.55 8.93 6.61 8.93 Juice pH² 3.23 3.68 3.443.54 Comparison of soluble solids (% Brix), titratable acidity, andjuice pH of ‘Archer’ with standards grown in Geneva, NY. ¹Soluble solidsis estimated from % Brix with % Brix being an indirect measurement ofthe sugar content in the fruit. ²Averaged from 3 samples on 3 datesduring the harvest season. ³g per L equivalents of citric acid.

-   Detailed fruit characteristics of ‘archer’:    -   -   Ratio of length/width.—Longer than broad.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Aroma.—High.        -   Predominant shape.—Broad conical.        -   Difference in shapes between primary and secondary            fruit.—Low to moderate.        -   Band without achenes.—Intermediate width.        -   Color of mature fruit.—Bright to dark red.        -   Evenness of color.—Usually even, but can be uneven with high            ripening temperatures.        -   Glossiness.—Moderate.        -   Insertion of achenes.—Level to slightly recessed from            surface.        -   Attitude of the calyx segments.—Somewhat reflexed.        -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Generally            smaller.        -   Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe).—Strong.        -   Firmness of skin.—Moderate.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Moderately firm.        -   Color of flesh.—Medium red with lighter inner ring            (orange-red 34B to 33C).        -   Distribution of red color of the flesh.—Marginal through            central with pale orange-red ring.        -   Hollow center.—Strongly expressed in primary and secondary            fruit. The hollow center is longer than it is wide. The mean            hollow center size in primary fruit is 20.4 mm long×10.1 mm            wide with a length to width ratio of 2.02 in fruit 25 to 35            g weight. For secondary fruit, the mean hollow center size            is 15.8 mm long×6.8 mm wide with a length to width ratio of            2.32 in fruit 14 to 20 g weight. The hollow center is            proportionally larger in larger fruit. Fruit larger than 35            g would be expected to have a larger cavity with a similar            length to width ratio.        -   Seed color.—Medium yellow-green to occasionally red on sun            exposed side (yellow-green 153D to orange-red 34B).        -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Early to            medium.        -   Time of ripening (50% of plants with first ripe            fruit).—Early to medium.        -   Type of bearing.—Fully short day responsive.

COMPARATIVE PLANT CHARACTERISTICS

Table 5 provides comparative ‘Archer’ plant characteristics. Plantcharacteristics are taken from a fully mature mid season plant.

TABLE 5 Plant characteristics: Comparisons Character ‘Archer’ ‘L'Amour’‘Jewel’ ‘Clancy’ Plant Height (mean cm) 30.4 31.9 27.3 26.1 Vigor¹ 8.58.3 5.0 7.0 Canopy density¹ 8.5 7.7 7.0 7.5 Comparison of plantcharacteristics of ‘Archer’, with standards grown in Geneva, NY ¹Ratedon a scale of 1-9 (9 being more vigorous or dense) in mature replicatedplots.

-   Detailed plant characteristics of ‘archer’:    -   -   Size.—Large.        -   Habit.—Moderately upright.        -   Density.—High.        -   Vigor.—Strong.

COMPARATIVE FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS

Table 6 provides comparative ‘Archer’ foliage characteristics. Foliagecharacteristics are taken from a fully mature tri-foliate during midseason.

TABLE 6 Foliage characteristics: Comparisons Character ‘Archer’‘L'Amour’ ‘Jewel’ RHS Color green 143B green 137A green 138A (uppersurface) RHS Color yellow-green 146C green 139C green 137D (lowersurface) Terminal 8.8 8.4 7.5 Leaflet Length mean (cm) Terminal 8.3 8.57.6 Leaflet Width mean (cm) Terminal 1.07 0.99 0.99 Leaflet ratio (L/W)Petiole Length 24.3 22.8 19.9 mean (cm) Serrations/Leaf 32.0 22.3 18.3Stipule Length 2.7 3.5 3.0 mean (cm) Stipule Width 0.4 0.8 0.8 mean (cm)Comparison of leaf characteristics of ‘Archer’ to standards grown inGeneva, NY

-   Detailed foliage characteristics of ‘archer’:    -   -   Color of upper surface.—Dark green.        -   Color of under side.—Medium to light green with yellow            undertone.        -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave.        -   Interveinal blistering.—Moderate to heavy.        -   Glossiness.—Moderate.        -   Number of leaflets/leaf.—Generally three with four or five            present but uncommon.-   Terminal leaflet:    -   -   Size.—Large.        -   Length/width ratio.—Longer than broad.        -   Shape of base.—Broadly cuneate, often uneven.        -   Shape serrations.—Mucronate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Pubescence density.—High.        -   Stipule color.—Light to medium yellow-green (yellow-green            N144C).        -   Anthocyanin coloration of stipule.—Common on young leaves.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Generally toward petiole base.        -   Size of bract leaflets.—Small.        -   Frequency of bract leaflets.—Occur rarely on the petioles.

COMPARATIVE FLOWER AND INFLORESCENCE CHARACTERISTICS

Table 7 provides comparative ‘Archer’ inflorescence and flowercharacteristics. Inflorescence characteristics are taken from a fullymature plant during full bloom. Flower characteristics are taken from asecondary flower during mid season at full maturity.

TABLE 7 Flower and Inflorescence Characteristics: Comparisons Character‘Archer’ ‘L'Amour’ ‘Jewel’ Fruiting Truss Length (mean cm)¹ 25.6 32.320.9 Corolla Diameter (mean mm) 34 36 31 Calyx Diameter (mean mm) 32 3334 Petal Length (mean mm) 14.8 15.4 14.0 Petal Width 13.7 13.6 13.3Petal L/W Ratio 1.08 1.13 1.09 Petals/Flower (mean) 5.2 5.1 6.3Sepals/Flower (mean) 10.0 11.0 12.4 Comparison of inflorescence andsecondary flower characteristics of ‘Archer’ with standards grown inGeneva, NY ¹As measured from the base of the primary peduncle where itattaches to the crown of the plant to the furthest berry.

-   Detailed inflorescence characteristics of ‘archer’:    -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Even to below.        -   Fruiting truss length.—Medium.        -   Peduncle bract.—Commonly large single.-   Detailed flower characteristics of ‘archer’:    -   -   Color.—White (white 155C).        -   Size.—Medium to large.        -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Equal to smaller.        -   Relative position of petals.—Slight overlap when first fully            open.        -   Petal length/width ratio.—Longer than broad.        -   Petal shape.—Obovate.

The varieties which are believed to most closely resemble ‘Archer’ are‘Clancy’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,481), ‘L'Amour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.16,480), and ‘Jewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,897).

In comparison to the similar plant ‘Clancy’, ‘Archer’ differs by thefollowing characteristics. The plant of ‘Archer’ is taller with a morespreading in growth habit and greater vigor. The fruit of ‘Archer’ islarger than that of ‘Clancy’ with a more reflexed calyx. The fruit skinand flesh color of ‘Archer’ is lighter red than that of ‘Clancy’. Theyield of ‘Archer’ is larger than that of ‘Clancy’. The fruit of ‘Archer’has lower soluble solids (% Brix) and lower titratable acids than thatof ‘Clancy’ with lower juice pH. The harvest season of ‘Archer’ isearlier than that of ‘Clancy’ and more extended in duration.

In comparison to the similar plant ‘L'Amour’, ‘Archer’ differs by thefollowing combination of characteristics. The plant of ‘Archer’ isshorter and broader than ‘L'Amour’. The terminal leaflets are slightlywider and shorter in length giving them a greater length to width ratioand a broadly elliptical to obovate shape. The stipules of ‘Archer’ areshorter and less wide than those of ‘L'Amour’ and more commonlypigmented, especially on young petioles. The fruit of ‘Archer’ is largerin size than ‘L'Amour’ with a broader cross section resulting in a lowerlength to width ratio. The fruit of ‘Archer’ has lower average solublesolids, lower titratable acids, and lower juice pH than ‘L'Amour’. Theflowering trusses of ‘Archer’ are shorter than those of ‘L'Amour’. Theflowers of ‘Archer’ are larger in diameter than the flowers of ‘L'Amour’with a lesser petal length to width ratio than ‘L'Amour’. The harvestseason for ‘Archer’ is more extended than that of ‘L'Amour’.

In comparison to the similar plant ‘Jewel’, ‘Archer’ differs by thefollowing combination of characteristics. The plant of ‘Archer’ is morevigorous and is broader and taller than ‘Jewel’. The foliage is widerand longer in ‘Archer’ compared to ‘Jewel’. The stipules of ‘Archer’ areshorter and less broad than those of ‘Jewel’. The fruit of ‘Archer’ isdarker red in color than ‘Jewel’ with a more reflexed calyx. The fruitof ‘Archer’ has higher soluble solids, higher titratable acidity, andlower juice pH than that of ‘Jewel’. The fruit of ‘Archer’ is largerthan that of ‘Jewel’ with a prominent cavity in primary and secondaryfruit. The fruiting trusses of ‘Archer’ are longer in overall lengththan those of ‘Jewel’.

Test plantings in various locations in New York, Illinois, Minnesota,and Michigan have shown this plant to be widely adapted to differingsoil and climactic conditions. It has shown cold hardiness typical tostrawberries in a matted row system when covered with straw in thewinter, which is standard procedure for this growing region. Fruit ofthe new plant ripens similar to its parent ‘L'Amour’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 16,480) and before its parent NY1786.

The new plant is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditionsof west central NY, the upper mid-western U.S, the Mid-Atlantic States,and southeastern Canada. This region provides the necessary wintertemperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and toproduce fruit in the summer harvest season from May to July, dependingon location.

‘Archer’ is known to be moderately resistant to the two-spotted spidermite and susceptible to aphids and flower thrips. It is tolerant to leafspot, leaf blight, and leaf scorch. It is moderately susceptible tofoliar powdery mildew in mid-summer. The susceptibility of the new plantto any of the virus complexes of NY has not been determined.

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plantnamed ‘Archer’ as herein described and illustrated by thecharacteristics set forth above.